I need the bra people - is it possible I have worn a bra 6" wrong all my adult life?

[CharlotteSimmons]

I am not sure of the names of the bra experts but I remember reading a thread a while back and finally got hold of a measuring tape...I am pretty petite, sporty and extremely flat chested, especially post breastfeeding. I always wear a bra, and prefer under wired padded ones, but I don't think I actually need one. I have always worn a 34A, I was measured once I think but they have always kind of fitted, I think...anyway, they have not fitted nearly as well since finishing breastfeeding and I was trying to come to terms with the fact I must be a 34 AA but then I read the thread, finally got a tape measure and...I am a 28" and a 32", so what bra size do I need? And where makes good bras for people with an underwhelming chest?

You need Sorrel and Statistically, but it looks to me like you need 28D. Online shops like Brastop and Leia are good as usually free returns

Yep, I'd start on 28D or 30C.

Debenhams or John Lewis, if you have one nearby?
If you do end up in the D cup, Bravisimo are fab at fitting.

I bet once you're in a 28D you won't have an underwhelming chest any more!

You called?!

Yup, start with a 28D and work from there.

I canNOT believe I am a D cup, I am soooo flat chested. If I lean forward my breast does not really fill my hand. But you are the women who know!! I think I will have to shop online as my retail options are pretty limited.

I am immaturely excited at the thought of moving out of an A cup even though my actual size hasn't changed. And actually excited at the thought of a bra that fits, I have never had an uncomfortable bra, but they have always been gapey round the cups and the straps fall down my shoulders. Thanks, I will try on both a 28D and a 30C and see how I go.

here are some "real" 28Ds

you might find that link helpful, it gives an idea of what sizes look like when properly fitted.

Hi OP, I'm the same! I'd had badly fitting 34As for years and years, really quite depressing as they never fitted well. Made me feel a bit freakish, not normal.

And then the post bf 'adjustment'.

But then i discovered the bra interventionists! And though I measured as 28D I couldn't find any. But 30C was exciting! And fitted so much better!

And then a couple of weeks ago I found some 28Ds in the reduced section in JL and I can't believe the difference! They actually, properly fit. They're comfortable, make me feel like I've actually got boobs! Oh, I wish I could go back and properly fit my 17 year old self!

(I can't believe how this makes me feel so much better! It's ludicrous, really!)

It makes me chuffing angry because you can bet your bottom dollar that an industry that worked so against the interests of men would never, ever have lasted so long, if it got off the ground in the first place!

I'd also love some advice (sorry for thread hijack) I'm 31 inch under bust and 34 across - have been wearing a 36a using the add 5 inches rule, but I'm only a size 8 (although a broad shouldered one!) and nothing seems to fit right.

Waiting for the interventionists to come along, but you'll be looking at something like a 30C or D I think.

I can tell you from experience - the difference is amazing!

Tessa

Those are my measurements cosmos.

I used to wear 34c or 36b/c but now my 32 D/DD fit so much better.

I tried 30 band but didn't like them.

C0smos As other posters have said, try a 30C/D and a 32B/C.

If you scoop (whilst wearing your 36A) how much overspill have you got?

Go to Rigby and Peller, they do it by eye. You basically cannot work out bra size purely on measurements, the new measuring system used here is as inaccurate as the old measurements.

Sorry, no it is not as inaccurate as the old system! Obviously it isn't always going to be 100% as everyone is a different shape but it does give people a starting point which is great for those who don't have easy access to a good fitting service.

R&P are great but so are many other bra fitters. Bravissimo also fit by eye (and start at a D so the OP may well fall into their size range). R&P have actually fitted me, my DSiL and DM in bras with too big a band. No one is infallible.

I agree time, it's so bizarre when you think about the fact that so many people are badly/wrongly sized. I have just always thought an A cup meant flat, D was big. I knew there was some correlation with your size but it never occurred to me I wasn't a 34 even though a) I am a clothes size 8 so unlikely and b) I could have measured myself but just didn't think I had to. I am about to order some new bras, especially as I am even more aware of how badly my current bra fits.

Statistically that link was great, thank you - the women do look my size-ish, so I am definitely going to start with a 28D and take it from there.

the new measuring system used here is as inaccurate as the old measurements.

No. It's not. It's a far more accurate starting point than adding 5". It's right on average - the true sizes are distributed around it, but it's the closest to correct you can get with a measuring tape and generally gets close enough to work out what is needed. It matches my Bravissimo fitted size pretty much spot on, with a cup either way of variance depending on the bra. There aren't that many shops who fit properly, many many women do not live anywhere near somewhere with a reliable fitting service.

Thank you all

SorrellForbes no overspill in my 36a in fact they gape at the top - definitely not a good look, just finished bfing so they are looking even more deflated than normal.

I haven't worn a 32 since I was about 13, but I'm off to give it a try.

Thanks all

C0smos if you are a size 8 did you pull the tape tight under your boobs? I am a size 10/12 and a 28 so you might want to try 30's first

Oh my, I can't be a 30F can I?! I've been an a cup (32 or 34) most of my life (bf not included obviously!).

Where can you get 26/28 band small cup bras? For my teeny weeny size 4-6 god-daughter....I suspect she's about a C cup judging by eye...

Lookslikeimstuckhere What are your measurements? 30/37?

PetraArkanian 28C is a difficult size to get, but JL do carry some on-line. Debenhams, JL, HoF, Bravissmo, My Curves & Me, Leia, Figleaves and Brastop (all on-line) stick 28 bands. Made in Preston do 26 bands.

for what its worth, debenhams gorgeous range, the band often runs small, so a 30 band in there, often suits a lot of people who should be a 28